The History Behind NARI
NARI ’ s roots go back to 1935 when President Roosevelt ’ s National Recovery Act established the beginnings of NERSICA ( The North East Roofing , Siding and Insulation Contractors Association ).
In 1956 President Eisenhower established Operation Home Improvement , a nationwide effort emphasizing the rehabilitation of existing housing rather than new construction . The National Home Improvement Council ( N . H . I . C ) emerged from this effort .
By the mid-1960s , NERSICA no longer reflected the membership of the growing industry and its name was changed to the National Remodelers Association ( NRA ).
In 1983 , the National Remodelers Association and the National Home Improvement Council joined to establish the National Association of the Remodeling Industry ( NARI ). Today , NARI has 58 chapters nationwide and has enjoyed a sizeable growth period during the past decade . In 2000 , NARI moved its national headquarters from Alexandria , Virginia , to Des Plaines , Illinois , and as the Voice of the Remodeling Industry TM , continues to prosper .
NARI ’ s Core Purpose is to advance and promote the remodeling industry ’ s professionalism , product and vital public purpose .
The History of NARI Tampa Bay
The conception of our local chapter began in the early 70 ’ s by a small group of contractors who formed what was known as the Home Improvement Council of Pinellas County . It originally started out mostly as a social club for a few Contractors to get together , share ideas , swill some beer , eat some food and generally have fun .
At that time the President and the secretary did all the work . In 1978 Jack Johnson joined the group and gave it some professionalism . Membership got up to about 20 and the “ club ” rocked along until 1983 . Some of the other members who served in the early and late 70 ’ s along with Jack were David and Gregory Swan of Windows Inc ., Jack Vernick the House Doctor , Gary Howard of Howard ceilings , Ken Johnson of Express Construction , Mac Wells a mortgage broker ( started the first newsletter ), Tom Tefelski of Thomas Construction and Steve Platt ( who joined in 1984 ).
In 1983 The National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodeling Council to form NARI . That ’ s when we became the Tampa Bay Chapter of NARI .
Around 1985 the Contractors and Builders Association formed their Remodeler ’ s Council ( an outgrowth of a movement by NAHB and FHBA ). Over ½ the current members left NARI to go to the Remodeler ’ s Council . NARI was left with about 8 members . Jack Johnson took over membership and grew the organization to about 15 that year .
In 1986 NARI had a trade show in Orlando . They tried to establish a chapter there in preparation for the trade show . It was made up mostly of National trade members and as a result , it died 6 months after the show . In 1987 chapters were attempted in Miami and Jacksonville . Those chapters failed from lack of leadership and self-interest on the parts of the chapter presidents .
Our local chapter grew to about 20 members by 1986 and hovered there . Chapter growth was symied from 1987 – 1990 . In 1991 Steve Platt became President . Steve was a strong leader and served until 1993 . Membership grew to 30 . Steve and Jack started bringing in speakers to the meetings , recruited David Mueller , Dan Ashline , Ken Ladelfa , Don Strobel and Mike Miano . The Board of Directors was expanded and committees were formed to take the burden off the President and 1st VP . Once they did that membership started growing exponentially .
With Don Strobel as President , Dan Ashline , Dave Mueller and Ken Ladelfa were part of the search committee , which enabled us to find and hire our first executive director in 1998 . In 2003 we had our first Strategic Planning meeting . We ’ ve been on a quest since then to strengthen our committees , create systems and procedures , all of which will continue to create good leadership and insure that NARI meets its Summarized Envisioned Future . January of 2016 saw us bring on board a new professional association management company to help us go to the next level of professional service for our members and our community .
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